During a heated meeting, League City’s council approved limited fireworks use on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July.
LEAGUE CITY, Texas — Fireworks usage was the only agenda item during an early Monday morning League City Council meeting.
But Mayor Pro-Tem Tommy Cones and Councilman Justin Hicks mostly “fired off” at the measure’s sponsor, Councilman Chad Tressler, who joined the meeting remotely.
“I find this special meeting to be unnecessary and a waste of time,” said Cones.
“Tressler’s neighbor sells fireworks and the only items he wants to pass are favors for his friends,” said Hicks.
The pair claimed Tressler threatened political retribution if they skipped the meeting, possibly preventing the vote to allow fireworks usage within the city limits on New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July.
“Tressler will end his political career never achieving Mayor Pro-Tem and never actually representing the citizens of League City,” said Hicks. “And just being a s****y councilman.”
Hicks told us that’s only the second time in four years he’s lashed out and has no regrets.
“I absolutely stand behind the remark,” said Hicks.
Tressler tried to respond during the meeting.
“Mayor, may I speak?” he said. “Can you not?” replied Mayor Nick Long.
Tressler later sent KHOU 11 News the following statement:
“Mr. Cones and Mr. Hicks, ironically two council members that have complained about maintaining “decorum”, said far more about their own character with their entirely false and baseless accusations during today’s special meeting than they said about me as they attempted to divert attention from the fact that they are fans of big government and enemies of freedom who voted against the expressly stated will of the overwhelming majority of the citizens of League City that approved the fireworks proposition on the ballot. Anything else I had thought to say I’ve decided isn’t worth stating, as I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:11.”
Tressler said he has no friends in the fireworks business and that the measure, which passed 5 to 2, was strongly supported by voters in a charter election last month.
This means that consumer-grade fireworks are now allowed in League City on New Year’s Eve and July 4th.
From the City of League City:
The change in the City’s ordinance has certain conditions including:
• The person must be 18 years of age or older
• Fireworks may only be discharged between sunset December 31st to 1:00 am on January 1st and between sunset on July 4th to 1:00 am on July 5th.
• Only fireworks 1.4G will be allowed to be discharged within the City limits. This class of fireworks is commonly available for purchase at fireworks stands.
• Fireworks may not be sold or purchased within City limits.
Each person discharging fireworks must comply with the following conditions:
• There shall be no structure, vehicles, or person within a 25-foot diameter of the discharge location.
• Fireworks must be discharged on a non-combustible surface of sufficient size to contain the entire portion of the ground display.
• The person discharging the fireworks shall be responsible for cleaning and removing all firework debris.
• The person discharging the fireworks shall comply with all Texas Department of Insurance Requirements.
• The person discharging the fireworks shall not be under the influence of an intoxicating substance.
• The person discharging the fireworks shall have an extinguishment device (ex. minimum of a five-gallon bucket of water, a minimum of a five lb ABC fire extinguisher, and/or an operational water hose) readily available at the site of firework discharge.
• Discharged fireworks shall be soaked in a bucket of water for twelve hours before being disposed of.
Fireworks shall not be discharged:
• At multi-family residential complexes (ex. apartment complexes)
• Within 600 feet of any church, hospital other than a veterinary hospital, an asylum, a licensed childcare center, or a public or private primary or secondary school or institution of higher education, unless the person has received authorization in writing from that organization and such authorization shall be submitted to the City.
• Within 100 feet of a place where flammable liquids or flammable compressed gasses are stored or dispensed
• Within 100 feet of a place where fireworks are stored or sold
• When a burn ban is in effect
Any violation of these conditions may result in fines and/or confiscation of fireworks.